Skyview classic for IFR training

[freerangequark]

I haven't used my instrument rating as PIC in over 20 years, when I was flying on steam gauges.
I am interested in getting back to instrument flying. I have sim and aircraft time scheduled to start to bring me back up to speed on IFR Flying.

I also have access to a Pipistrel Virus SW with a Dynon Skyview and 2 axis AP

I am aware that this plane is not equipped for IFR flight and that the Skyview is not IFR legal. I do not intend to use it as such.

My question is, with the addition of Seatlle Avionics charts and plates, along with a safety pilot... can Skyview serve as worthwhile training aid towards getting me back to instrument/IFR basics?

My understanding is that is that I can't pull up an approach... just the georeferenced plate, however I could sequence waypoints to simulate a GPS approach for example. Is this correct? What is the limitation of the VNAV when doing this? Command bars? Autopilot on a coupled approach?

Are there any online resources on the topic of using the Skyview as an IFR training aid?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[airguy]

You are correct on the georeferenced plate, it will display the plate on the screen and you can hand fly that, or autopilot through the GPS points that you will have to program in, and fly the "step-down" altitudes using the AP vertical descent commands. There will be no VNAV in the "IFR-protected" sense of VNAV. You may still see a VNAV arm mode and a glideslope indicator on the screen to the right of the HSI, but it will be the "VFR VNAV" function as described in the manual, and will NOT be the same as the IFR glideslope - it also will NOT put you in "protected" (meaning obstacle-free) airspace - the VFR VNAV function will quite happily fly you into a building or mountain side or antenna.

But as for getting back into the basics of it, for hand-flying and even using the AP and step-down altitudes, sure. The safety pilot will be a critical piece of that puzzle.

 

[CanardMulti]

I've seen various articles speculating that when the new MOSAIC rules become effective that IFR training *in VFR conditions* will be legal using LSA aircraft. Whether they will or wont allow actual operations in IMC is unclear. If your Pipistrel has an IFR GPS navigator, be aware some brands - Avidyne for sure - can purchase modestly less expensive data subscriptions that contain the IFR approach data without the actual approach charts. That allows approaches (and SIDS, STARS, etc.) to be loaded, displayed, and flown on your Skyview map when the navigator is selected as the map source. Even without an IFR GPS unit, a simple VHF NAV radio will allow practice of victor airway enroute navigation and basic VOR and ILS approaches when properly connected to Skyview.

Just my take on it: IMHO, you will have a definite advantage having learned your initial IFR procedures on steam gauges when re-learning IFR on glass, as opposed to "children of the magenta line" who began their training on glass. Steam gauge IFR requires a pilot to learn how to build the entire map and situation in their mind and better equips them to anticipate what is coming for more complete situational awareness.

Ken